Homogenizer for mixing and fragmenting substances



Nov. 22, 1966 L. SZEGO 3,

HOMOGENIZER FOR MIXING AND FRAGMENTING SUBSTANCES Filed Nov. 21, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet l FIG-l INVENTOR. HSZLO LRZHRUS .SZEGO L. szr-zeo r3,286,937

Nov. 22, 1966 HOMOGENIZER FOR MIXING AND FRAGMENTING SUBSTANCES FiledNov. 21, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-4 FIG-'5 Ila.

FIG-5 INVENTOR. LHSZLO LHZHRUS .SZEG'O Nov. 22, 1966 1.. L. SZEGO3,286,937

HOMOGENIZER FOR MIXING AND FRAGMENTING SUBSTANCES Filed Nov. 21, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. LHSZLO LHZHFPUS SZEGO FIG-6 BY United StatesPatent 11 Claims. 61. 241-105 The present invention relates to anapparatus for comminuting and mixing of substances, especially ofvarious solids, or solids and liquids, for producing a homogenousmixture of the various substances which in conformity with therequirements are uniformly distributed and comminuted.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvedapparatus of the above mentioned type.

It is another object of this invention to provide an ap paratus of thetype set forth above, which will be greatly superior to heretofore knownsimilar devices with regard to the passage of substance per time unitthrough the apparatus and also with regard to the fineness and thehomogeneity of the processed substance.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear moreclearly from the following specilcation in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal section through an apparatus accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows in top view the arrangement of the balls forming part ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIGS. '3 and 4 respectively illustrate one portion of the balls in sideview.

FIG. 5 illustrates a central section through a modified apparatusaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustratesa central section through a comminuting and mixingapparatus according to the present invention which is modified over thatof FIG. 1, in that it comprises a plurality of superimposed apparatusesof FIG. 1.

The apparatus according to the present invention 15 characterizedprimarily in that at least one series of balls arranged along a circleis provided between concave race surfaces of a stationary outer ring anda disc rotatably connected to a drive shaft, while a second series ofballs arranged along a circle engages said first series of balls fromthe inside thereof, said second series of balls having a diameter lessthan the diameter of the balls of said first series. The arrangement issuch that each one of the smaller diameter balls contacts two of thelarger diameter balls.

Advantageously, the center points of the smaller diameter balls arelocated in a plane which is parallel to but oifset with regard to theplane in which the center points of the larger diameter balls arelocated. Preferably, the smaller diameter balls are secured against aradial inward movement by engagement with a pair of discs freelyrotatable on the drive shaft and axially displaceable relative thereto.

More specifically, with reference to the drawings, the arrangement showntherein comprises a central shaft 8 having keyed thereto twopulley-shaped members 6 and 7 with outer peripheral grooves 6a and 7arespectively. The arrangement furthermore comprises two 3,286,937Patented Nov. 22, 1966 "ice stationary outer rings 1 and 2 with innerperipheral grooves 111 and 2a. Arranged between the grooves 6a, 7a ofmembers 6 and 7 respectively and the grooves 1a, 2a of the stationaryouter rings 1 and 2 respectively there is arranged a number of balls 3and 4. Between the pairs of pulley-shaped members or discs 6, 7 on onehand and the outer rings 1, 2 on the other hand, a force is producedeither by pressing discs 6 and 7 in a direction toward each other or bypulling the rings 1 and 2 away from each other.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the discs 6, 7 are keyed bykeys 15, 16 to shaft 8, and the two rings 1 and 2 are pressed in axialdirection away from each other by a pressure medium passed throughconduit means 22 made of rubber material and clamped between rings 1 and2, said conduit means communicating with a source of pressure mediumthrough a connecting conduit 23.

Between those sides of the two series of balls 3, 4 which face eachother, there is provided a third series of balls 5 which latter have asmaller diameter than the balls 3 and 4. Balls 5 are interposed betweenthe tapered surfaces 12a and 13a of freely rotatable discs 12 and 13.The discs 12 and 13 are journalled on ball bearings 9 and 9a which areso arranged on shaft 8 that they can freely rotate and are axiallydisplaceable relative to the drive shaft 9. Each of the smaller diameterballs 5 is arranged between two adjacent larger diameter balls 3, 4 soas to have two contact points with the lower row of the larger diameterballs 4 and two contact points with the upper row of larger diameterballs 3. Each of the said smaller diameter balls 5 has two additionalcontact points with the respective freely rotatable discs 12 and 13.Thus, there are two contact points between the smaller diameter balls 5and the upper row of the larger diameter balls 3 and two contact pointsbetween the smaller diameter balls 5 and the lower row of the largerdiameter balls 4.

The two discs 12, 13 are supported by flexible springs 11 and 11a andthrough the intervention of the tapered surfaces 12a, 13a of discs 12and 13 respectively exert a radially outwardly directed pressure uponthe smaller diameter balls 5. This radially outwardly directed pressureis furthermore aided by the centrifugal force so that a certain distanceis formed between the balls 3 and 4. The centrifugal forces press thesmaller diameter balls 5 outwardly and are aided by the contact pointsbetween discs 12, 13 and balls 5. The centrifugal force maintains fourcontact points between each smaller diameter ball 5 and four of thelarger diameter balls 3, 4 as is clearly evident from FIG. 4. Thesmaller diameter balls 5 are satellite balls. The distances between thelarger diameter balls 3, 4 and the satellite balls 5 are preciselymaintained within narrow limits by the flexibly supported discs 12, 13,said narrow limits depending on the materials to be mixed or comminuted.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate the importance of the dimensioning and theplacing of the larger diameter balls 3, 4 and the satellite balls 5which form a suflicient framelike cover or cage 14 holding the balls intheir precise desired locations. The power transfer between the surfacesof the larger diameter balls 3, 4 and the stationary rings 1, 2 resultsin a sufficient pressure for carrying out the intended operation. Thematerials to be processed, to be mixed or to be comminuted areintroduced between the inner groove 1a of ring 1 and the balls .3 andsubsequently pass between the balls 4 and ring 2 Where the homogenizingprocess takes place. The entire material has to be passed between thesecircumferential grooves and the larger diameter balls 3, 4. However,solids may to a minor extent accidentally drop or pass over the innersurface of the apparatus with the satellite balls. The centrifugal forcewill, however, constantly throw back any material and return the sameinto the space between the circumferential grooves and the balls wherethe transformation and processing of the material or substances takesplace. As a result of the combined interaction'between thegravitationally falling material and the outwardly acting centrifugalforce, the material preformed by the upper series of balls 3 and ring 1.will reach the lower groove of ring 2 where the operation is repeatedand whereby the degree of efficiency of the entire process is greatlyincreased.

Between rings 1 and 2 an axial pressure is maintained tending to pressapart the two rings so that a pressure is exerted upon the rollingcontact points between the stationary ring 1, the working balls 3 andthe driving disc 6. The oppositely directed balancing pressure acts withthe same magnitude upon ring 2 and exerts a similar pressure upon thecontact points between ring 2, balls 4 and driving disc 7.

As a result of the harmonious adjustment of the distances, all of theballs rotate on their entire surfaces. Consequently, the wear of theballs, even after a long period of operation, is minute and remainsuniform. It is for this reason that the balls retain their ball-shapewhich in turn imparts upon the device a high degree of mechanicalefficiency. The letter Z in FIG. 3 indicates the distance between thecenters of two grinding balls, whereas the letter Y indicates thestructural dimensions between the perimeter of one grinding ball and theperimeter of the space-keepingball for determining the correctdimensions and distances for the safe-keeping of the centralspace-keeping ball between four grinding balls of two subsequentgrinding grooves.

Referring now to the modification illustrated in FIG. 5, it will be seenthat this device comprises one series only of larger diameter balls 3,and this single row of balls 3 is correctly positioned and maintained inthe respective position by the satellite balls 5. The contact points ofdiscs 12, 13 assure the proper position of the satellite balls 5.

It will be appreciated that by this arrangement it is possible to buildup a one-stage or multi-stage system, and each groove with working balls3 will be properly distanced and correctly spun by the single groove ofsatellite balls 5.

FIGURE 6 shows an apparatus according to the present invention which isbuilt up of three apparatus sections 26, 27,28 in conformity with theso-called building block principle. The entire system is driven by anelectromotor 14 through the intervention of a common shaft 8a, saidelectro-motor being fixedly connected to the ground by an annular flange15. Each apparatus section or stage has its two end faces provided withflanges 16 and 17 respectively which are fixedly connected to theadjacent flanges of the adjacent apparatus sections. The upper mostapparatus section 26 is closed at the top by a lid 18 provided with aninlet sleeve or passage 19. The material introduced into the apparatusthrough passage 19 drops onto the top side of disc 6, which thus servesas distributing disc for the material. The lowermost apparatus section28 is closed by a bottom 20 provided with two funnel-shaped dischargeconduits 21 for the dis charge of the comminuted and intermixedmaterial.

The rings 1 and 2 are axially displaceably arranged in the respectiveapparatus section and are axially displaceable with regard to each otherby a small distance. The displacement of the rings with regard to eachother is effected hydraulically through the intervention of an annularconduit 22 interposed between the rings 1 and 2 of the respectiveapparatus section and communicating with a conduit 23 which is connectedto a source of a pressure medium (not shown). The ring 2 of thelowermost apparatus section 28 rests on an annular flange 24, while themovement of the ring 1 of the upper apparatus section 26 is limited byan annular flange 25 which prevents the rings 1 and 2 from moving toofar apart, which would otherwise be possible, for instance, withincreasing wear 1. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials,especially different solids, and also solids and liquids, for producinga homogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, disc meansconnected to said shaft for rotation therewith and provided with aperipheral concave race surface, ring means coaxially arranged withregard to said disc means and having an inner peripheral race surfacespaced from the race surface of said disc means and being curvedinversely with regard to said concave race surface of said disc means,at least a first series of balls arranged along a circle and interposedbetween and in contact with the race surface of said disc means and therace surface of said .ring means, and a second series of balls arrangedalong a circle less in diameter than said first mentioned circle, eachof the balls of said sec.-.

ond series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter of theballs of said first series of balls, the arrangement being such thateach of said smaller diameter balls is in contact with two adjacentballs of said first series but is spaced from the adjacent smallerdiameter balls.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, which includes means associatedwith said ring means and continuously urging the same in axial directionof said shaft so as to exert a pressure upon said first series of ballsin contact therewith.

3. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especiallydifferent solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing ahomogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, disc meansconnected to said shaft for rotation therewith and provided with aperipheral concave race surface, ring means coaxially arranged withregard to said disc means and having an inner peripheral race surfacespaced from the race surface of said disc means and being curvedinversely with regard to said concave race surface of said disc means,at least a first series of balls arranged along a circle and interposedbetween and in contact with the race surface of said disc means and therace surface of said ring means, and a second series of balls arrangedalong a circle less in diameter than said first mentioned circle, eachof the balls of said second series of balls having a diameter less thanthe diameter of the balls of said first series of balls, the arrangementbeing such that each of said smallerdia'ineter balls is in contact withtwo adjacent balls of said first series but is spaced from the adjacentsmaller diameter balls, the center points of said small diameter, ballsand a rotatable shaft, first disc means connected to said shaft forrotation therewith and provided with a peripheral concave race surface,ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said first disc means andhaving an inner pe-,

ripheral race surface spaced from the race surface of said first discmeans and being curved inversely with regard to said concave racesurface of said first disc means, at least a first series of ballsarranged along a circle and interposed between and in contact with therace surface of said first disc means and the race surface of said ringmeans, second disc means coaxially arranged with regard to said firstdisc means and provided with peripheral outer race surface means, saidsecond disc means being freely rotatably supported-by said shaft means,and a second series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameterthan said first mentioned circle and in rolling engagement with saidouter race surface means of said second disc means, each of the balls ofsaid second series of balls having a diameter less than the diameter ofthe balls of said first series of balls, the arrangement being such thateach of said smaller diameter balls is in contact with two adjacentballs of said first series but is spaced from the adjacent smallerdiameter balls.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, in which said second disc meanscomprises spring means acting upon said race surface means for causingthe latter resiliently to press said smaller diameter balls against therespective adjacent larger diameter balls.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, which includes a bushing axiallydisplaceably mounted on said shaft, and anti-friction bearing meansmounted on said bushing and rotatably supporting said second disc means.

7. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especiallydifferent solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing ahomogeneous mixture, which includes: a first series of balls arrangedalong a first circle with the balls in spaced relationship to eachother, said balls being located along a first plane, a second series ofballs arranged along a second circle coaxial with said first circle andalong a second plane parallel to but spaced from said first plane, theballs of each of said series being spaced from each other, means forguiding said balls of said first and second series along said first andsecond circles respectively, said means including means for exertingradial pressure on said balls, rotatable means operatively connected tosaid first mentioned means for moving said balls along said circles, athird series of balls arranged along a third circle having a diameterless than the diameter of said first and second circles, the balls ofsaid third series having a diameter less than the diameters of saidfirst and second series and being in contact with the balls of saidfirst and second series, the balls of said third series being spacedfrom each other, and means operatively connected to the balls of saidthird series and continuously exerting a radial pressure thereon.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, in which the balls of said firstand second series have a substantially identical diameter, and in whichthe circles along which said first and second series of balls arearranged are of substantially the same diameter.

9. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especiallydifferent solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing ahomogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, a pair of firstdisc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and spacedfrom each other in axial direction of said shaft, each of said firstdisc means being provided with an outer peripheral concave race surface,a pair of ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said first discmeans for cooperation with the respective first disc means, each of saidring means having an inner peripheral race surface spaced from the racesurface of the respective adjacent first disc means and being curvedinversely with regard to said concave race surface of the respectiveadjacent first disc means, a first series of balls arranged along acircle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface ofone of said first disc means and the race surface of the respectiveadjacent ring means, a second series of balls arranged along a circleand interposed between and in contact with the race surface of the otherfirst disc means and the race surface of the respective adjacent ringmeans, second disc means coaxially arranged with regard to said firstdisc means and provided with peripheral outer race surface means, saidsecond disc means being freely rotatable with regard to said rotatableshaft, a third series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameterthan the circles along which said first and second series of balls arearranged and in rolling contact with said peripheral surface means, eachof the balls of said third series of balls having a diameter less thanthe diameter of the balls of said first and second series of balls, thearrangement being such that each of said smaller diameter balls is incontact with two adjacent balls of said first and second series, andmeans associated with said pair of ring means and continuously urgingthe same away from each other in axial direction of said rotatableshaft.

10. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especiallydifferent solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing ahomogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, a pair of firstdisc means connected to said shaft for rotation therewith and spacedfrom each other in axial direction of said shaft, each of said firstdisc means being provided with an outer peripheral concave race surface,a pair of ring means coaxially arranged with regard to said first discmeans for cooperation with the respective first disc means, each of saidring means having an inner peripheral race surface spaced from the racesurface of the respective adjacent first disc means and being curvedinversely with regard to said concave race surface of the respectiveadjacent first disc means, a first series of balls arranged along acircle and interposed between and in contact with the race surface ofone of said first disc means and the race surface of the respectiveadjacent ring means, a second series of balls arranged along a circleand interposed between and in contact with the race surface of the otherfirst disc means and the race surface of the respective adjacent ringmeans, second disc means coaxially arranged with regard to said firstdisc means and provided with peripheral outer race surface means, saidsecond disc means being freely rotatable with regard to said rotatableshaft, a third series of balls arranged along a circle less in diameterthan the circles along which said first and second series of balls arearranged and in rolling contact with said peripheral surface means, eachof the balls of said third series of balls having a diameter less thanthe diameter of the balls of said first and second series of balls, thearrangement being such that each of said smaller diameter balls is incontact with two adjacent balls of said first and second series, andmeans operatively connected to said pair of first disc means andoperable to act thereupon in opposite direction to each other forexerting radial pressure on said first and second series of balls.

11. In an apparatus for comminuting and mixing materials, especiallydifferent solids, and also solids and liquids, for producing ahomogeneous mixture, which includes: a rotatable shaft, first disc meansconnected to said shaft for rotation therewith and provided with aperipheral concave race surface, ring means coaxially arranged withregard to said first disc means and having an inner peripheral racesurface spaced from the race surface of said first disc means and beingcurved inversely with regard to said concave race surface of said firstdisc means, a first series of balls arranged along a circle coaxial withsaid rotatable shaft, said first series of balls being interposedbetween and in contact with the race surface of said first disc meansand the race surface of said ring means, second disc means coaxiallyarranged with regard to said rotatable shaft and provided withperipheral outer race surface means, said second disc means being freelyrotatable about said rotatable shaft and also being axially displaceablewith regard to said shaft, a second series of balls arranged along acircle having a diameter less than the circle along which said 7 8 firstseries of balls is arranged, each of said balls of said References Citedby the Examiner second series of balls having a diameter less than theUNITED STATES PATENTS diameter of the balls of said first series ofballs, the arrangement being such that each of said smaller di- 12553192/1918 f 241*105 ameter balls is in contact with two adjacent balls ofsaid 5 2,573,163 5/1954 Phlnlps. X first series of balls but is spacedfrom the adjacent smaller 2,792,994 5/1957 Szego 241-105a diameterballs, and means operatively connected with said first disc means andsaid ring means and operable to ROBERT RIORDON, Exqminerexert pressureupon said first disc means and said ring means in oppoite direction toeach other but in a direc- 10 PEPPER Asslstant Emmmer' tion toward eachother.

1. IN AN APPARATUS FOR COMMUNICATING AND MIXING MATERIALS, ESPECIALLYDIFFERENT SOLIDS, AND ALSO SOLIDS AND LIQUIDS, FOR PRODUCING AHOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE, WHICH INCLUDES: A ROTATABLE SHAFT, DISC MEANSCONNECTED TO SAID SHAFT FOR ROTATION THEREWITH AND PROVIDED WITH APERIPHERAL CONCAVE RACE SURFACE, RING MEANS COAXIALLY ARRANGED WITHREGARD TO SAID DISC MEANS AND HAVING AN INNER PERIPHERAL RACE SURFACESPACED FROM THE RACE SURFACE OF SAID DISC MEANS AND BEING CURVEDINVERSELY WITH REGARD TO SAID CONCAVE RACE SURFACE OF SAID DISC MEANS,AT LEAST A FIRST SERIES OF BALLS ARRANGED ALONG A CIRCLE AND INTERPOSEDBETWEEN AND IN CONTACT WITH THE RACE SURFACE OF SAID DISC MEANS